The Red Banner (Aussie & Jannah)

[The Australian]

Name: Nikolai Sokolov
Age: 18
Appearance:


Rank: Private
Biography:
Nikolai Solokov was born to a Red Army officer and his wife in Arkhangelsk after he returned from the Polish-Soviet War. He was their only child, and, for Soviet standards, was practically spoiled. His mother was always home, and his father always provided for them. In school, he excelled in history and science, and he was recommended for an intellectual path. He and his parents were immensely happy by this, and his father arranged for him to begin studies in Moscow at the age of 17. Nikolai was sent off in the summer of 1940.

After the semester began, the war began to really hit home for him. He took a more active role in observing it, and he feared a German invasion of Russia. When they did, in fact, invade, he was drafted into the Red Army while he was on the university's campus, given a weeks training, and sent off to war.

Comrades stand side by side to stop the Nazi Charge

Nikolai Solokov sat in the ZIS-5 with the rest of his platoon, which oddly consisted of one woman, which he sat in front of. That truck was just one in a large convoy headed towards Yartsevo, a town outside Smolensk. He had heard that the battle was going badly, and that the Germans just might be in Moscow by the end of the month. After hearing that the French only lasted a month, he began to think that perhaps Russia would fall as well, and since the Nazis were strongly against the Slavic people and the Soviet Union, he couldn't begin to imagine the retribution carried out by them against the peoples of Russia. But, he hoped that they would be able to repel the Fascists, but had no intention of dying for the Motherland. The truck shook, rocking him about. He adjusted his side cap and gripped onto his Mosin Nagant, looking up to the woman in front of him.

As the silence dragged on, he smiled to her, extending his hand, "Nikolai Solokov, and you?"

[Jannah]

Name: Irina Davydova
Age: 19
Appearance:


Rank: Private
Biography: Born into a small village in southwestern Siberia Irina spent much of her young life in the forests. It was there she first learned to shoot, aided by her industrial worker father. As she grew older she went out on her home and took up hunting. Due to this her family was always well provided for. She was never particularly proficient in her school studies so took up a job in the factories. Once war broke out against Germany she continued training her marksmanship and was drafted into the military. By 1941 she was on the front lines.

This was it. Now there was certainly no turning back. The moment Irina had entered the truck she knew where her platoon was headed. The Germans had been advancing fast so they had been sent to the front lines to hold them back. The mission was clear; defend the Motherland at all costs. She wasn't even sure if she would make it out of this alive, but she knew she would fight until the end.

Irina knew it wouldn't be long now until they arrived so instead she just examined the other soldiers in the truck with her. Most of them appeared to be young, around the same age as her even. She suspected they were all also fresh except for the few commanders up at the front. There was one young man behind her who particularly seemed interested in her. She was, after all the lone female in this platoon. She wondered of there would be more on the battle field or perhaps due to her marksmanship skills she was a special exception.

"Irina Davydova." She held out her hand to shake the young man's once he offered it. He seemed like warm company and somebody she could get acquainted to while in hell. However, she had been warned to not become too attached to anybody. Not yet. For all she knew this man could be dead by tomorrow.

[The Australian]

"Where are you from?" Nikolai asked, retracting his hand back to his rifle, laying his hand on the wood. He found himself looking up and down here, judging her, admiring her. He had been infatuated with a woman back at the university, but she had not returned the favour. This woman, however, was most likely available, but he decided to restrain himself. After all, she could be dead just later today, "I'm from Arkhangelsk, but I've been schooling in Moscow since, oh, August? Da, I think so."

[Jannah]

"I'm from way east, Siberia." Irina felt hesitant to give her exact location. It slightly pained her now to know there was a chance she would never return. She knew that being from a small village was disadvantageous in that everybody knew you and would all mourn if anything ever happened. This is not a reality she wanted to burden them with.

Irina became fascinated at Nikolai's mention of Moscow. Of course it was so far from her own home so she never really had the opportunity to travel there. "Moscow? I hear it's marvelous. I'd love to march through Red Square on the day we win this war." Of course the thought of victory lingered in her mind, but it was something she felt would be far away. The Germans were strong fighters.

[The Australian]

"Siberia? In a city or in the taiga? We went there once, when father wanted us to visit our grandparents in Irkutsk. On the train-ride, I absolutely loved the landscape. I don't think I've ever seen anything more beautiful, or, until today." Nikolai smiled, clearly proud at his compliment, "Moscow? Eh. It's nice, and the landmarks are absolutely wonderful to see, but, I'd much rather be in Arkhangelsk right now. Perhaps I'd be there, instead of here."

When she mentioned a passing remark of victory, he chucked as a pair of I-16s flew overhead, providing much-needed air cover for the convoy, "Victory seems...uncertain." He muttered, careful to keep his voice down, lest any of his comrades hear him, "But, I intend to die before the Germans march into Moscow. I hear what they do to Slavs, and I would hate to be subjected to such brutal torture."

[Jannah]

"In the taiga. I used to spend much of my time in the woods, but obviously not so much now." Irina giggled a bit in an attempt to lighten up the situation. She did miss the old days though when she could just wander for hours. Recent years it had either been working in the factories or now, heading to the front lines to defend her country. At least it would allow her to be in the wilderness again where she truly felt at ease. "Oh yes. My father would say near our village is one of the most beautiful patches." Irina was pleased that Nikolai had ventured into those parts, even if only by train.

The light-hearted atmosphere of the moment didn't last long when Nikolai mentioned the rumours about the German treatment of the Slavs. Irina didn't know if it was true but it was still cause for concern. "I hope those are just rumours... I would hate to be subjected to that." She kept her voice down, not wanting to alarm the others. If it was indeed true Irina knew she would have to pump bullets into every single German she met on the battlefield without contempt.

[The Australian]

"But, we mustn't become our enemy." Nikolai carefully reminded her. He had to watch his tongue in front of many of the more jingoistic conscripts who had intended to 'kill every last German on the face of the Earth.' It disgusted him, but, he couldn't say a word. No, it would be too dangerous. "So, what do you expect to be out there?"

As he asked that to her, the man next to him, a stocky bald man with rugged features and a stubbly face struck his arm around Nikolai, startling him greatly, "I expect us to cut down every single one of our enemies, and hold Smolensk for the Motherland!" The man declared defiantly, "And we'll all get the Hero of the Soviet Union!"

[Jannah]

Irina knew Nikolai was right. They would all have to work to maintain their humanity while on the battlefield. These were fellow human beings they would be fight, human beings with families back home. That alone made Irina think twice about indiscriminately killing everybody she sees. "You're right, comrade. These are people with families of their own."

Irina say in silence for a few seconds trying to imagine what she would see out there and what to expect. "I suppose we'll just have to wait and see but I know it won't be pleasant. We need to be brave." Lots of bloodshed was the first thing that came to mind. Fortunately she had been desensitized from cutting up her game, but those were animals. These were humans. The man beside Nikolai didn't seem to care though and actually seemed anxious to get into battle. Irina knew it would be soon too as the commanders at the end each row began looking at the outside surroundings as if waiting for the right time to give orders.

[The Australian]

Nikolai nodded quickly to the imposing man, "We'll, uh, show those Fascists?" He said nervously, and the man returned it by patting Nikolai on the back and chuckling off back to silence. He brushed off his shoulder and turned back to Irina, while looking up towards the sky, "Such a dismal day, isn't it? It looks as if it will rain. If I'm going to face death, I'd at least like the sun to be out to greet me in the end. But, I suppose just asking for it doesn't make it so...."

As they passed through the village, which was mostly comprised of brick houses, but some wooden ones, which appeared to be ancient, Nikolai was overwhelmed with fear. They didn't stop. They were suppose to stop! A commander stood up at the front, his rank suggesting a Starshyna, and announced to the men, "We'll be continuing on to the outskirts of Smolensk! Our comrades desperately need reinforcing!" He spoke, and returned to sitting down, mulling about what he had just said, presumably.

Nikolai was more scared than ever. This meant that the situation up at the front was getting worse, and that mean they'd be more likely to get killed. The trucks continued on their route, joined by two T-34s. Overhead, the I-16s still kept up their vigil, "I think we'll meet our death in a few minutes..."

[Jannah]

Irina stared at and admired the passing scenery. She felt it was right to take in as much beauty as possible before knocking on death's door. It amazed her how little of her own country she knew. It was massive and travel was usually difficult so she didn't feel too guilty.

"I think you're right. I always imagined I would die somewhere old and painlessly rather than like this..." Irina knew Nikolai was probably right. Many of these fresh recruits would not live to see the next sunrise and whether that would be her would be up to her alone. Of course she has marksmanship skills but she knew it would take more than that to survive this. This would also be a test of endurance. She knew that the ground troops were often the first to go and now she sensed they were getting close as the tanks and aircraft began joining their ranks.

Watching the planes fly overhead became quite an awe inspiring sight for Irina. She couldn't help but to feel proud of her fellow country men and women who were up there. She realized they faced their own unique set of dangers and each would be fighting for their own right to stay alive. Are you ready? We can do this. Before looking directly in front of her she gave a silent thank you. It was then that the truck halted to a stop.